The Lexus ES is one of the more pleasant executive sedans around today. We’ve lauded it for its smooth ride and elegance, but one thing it’s not is radical. If anything, it’s a bit on the conservative side.
But now, Lexus wants to redefine its midsize sedan. Meet the eighth-generation ES, and it’s a massive shift from all its predecessors. Not only will it be hybrid-only, this model will also be available in pure electric guises.
In terms of dimensions, it’s noticeably larger than before. The all-new ES measures 5,140mm long, 1,920mm wide, 1,560mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,950mm. For comparison, the soon to be outgoing model is 4,950mm long, 1,865mm wide, 1,455mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,870mm.
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The redesigned sedan takes cues from the RZ pure electric crossover and combines it a more rakish, coupe-like profile. Depending on the powertrain chosen, the ES has either a smooth front fascia for the EV versions or a small grille for the hybrids. The car also has clever aerodynamic enhancements, such as air inlets on the front bumper and fenders, along with a hidden diffuser at the back. It even comes with flush door handles in a bit to cut through the air even smoother.
For its underpinnings, this model utilizes the Toyota TNGA GA-K platform. This is significant as it’s the same architecture used in the Toyota Crown, Toyota Alphard, Lexus, LM, and Lexus RX. With that, we’re expecting great things from this sedan in terms of comfort and handling.
Inside, it’s a huge leap from past models with a greater emphasis on minimalism. Despite that, physical controls remain with functions integrated onto a panel below that massive infotainment screen. Lexus calls it the Responsive Hidden Switches with the functions revealing themselves when needed. At the same time, there’s the Sensory Concierge that adjusts the ‘mood’ of the cabin depending on the mode selected.
There are some bold interior color selections for the 2026 ES. Aside from the usual black and tan, there’s also white and green. A wide variety of garnishes are available, ranging from wood to fabric inserts. This model comes standard with a dual screen arrangement, but higher spec versions can be optioned with an even larger triple screen arrangement.
As mentioned, there’s a choice of either hybrid or pure electric powertrains. For the hybrids, it kicks off with the ES300h with its 2.0-liter Atkinson Cycle Engine paired with a single electric motor for a total output of 198hp. Move up to the ES350h and the engine grows to 2.5 liters while power rises to 244hp. The ES350 is available with all-wheel drive.
Pure electric versions of the ES start with the ES350e. It uses a single motor that puts out 221hp and has an estimated range of 685km. At the top of the ladder is the ES500e that comes with two electric motors and all-wheel drive. The result of adding that extra motor is 338hp with a range of up to 610km.
More photos of the 2026 Lexus ES:
